Yinhe Venus V-13

Way too slow, I don’t like the feeling of this blade, although it does have good control. It is a bit heavy (98 g). An okay blade, maybe good for beginners and youths.

My blade weighs 99 grams, so consistency should be 5, not 10. With rubbers, it became too heavy, so I modified it to accommodate smaller rubbers. Now, with Tenergy 05 and Tenergy 05Fx, it weighs 175 grams and is awesome. I do not provide numerical ratings because this blade’s features would vary significantly with a weight of 85 grams.

My primary blade for the past 6 months has been setup with Red Diamond (forehand) and Rapid Sound 2.0 (backhand). This setup excels in blocking and initiating attacks over the table.

The V-13 is a versatile blade suitable for various playing styles. It excels in generating loops and offers good speed when necessary. The dwell time of this blade is optimal, enabling players to create extreme topspin. When testing the blade, I utilized Xiom Sigma Europe on the forehand and Xiom Vega Elite on the backhand, and the results were impressive.

I bought this blade after reading MindTrip’s review. The blade I received weighs 93 grams. When equipped with 729 Super FX 2mm rubber on the backhand and H2 Black 2.2mm rubber on the forehand, the setup feels balanced.

The blade has a linear response, without any sudden power ramps. Pushes, blocks, drives, and loops are all good. It’s easy to impart heavy topspin. There is only a little flex, yet it feels solid. The soft feel and feedback are pleasant. Overall, it suits my all-around playing style with an offensive bias.

This blade is not a replacement for the K-3. Despite being labeled as “allround,” it plays more like OFF- to OFF. I anticipated something slower than my T Boll Spirit, but the V-13's softer feel does not translate to a slower speed, particularly when blocking. While blocks felt slower, other aspects of play felt more controlled and casual.

Close-to-the-net play was easier with the V-13 compared to the TBS, and several opponents commented on the increased spin generated by my loops. I noticed an extended dwell time during my loop swing, resulting in a higher success rate. Aside from the first match, I missed very few loops throughout the afternoon.

The FL handle is long, with a flared portion that I sanded down to achieve a more straight handle. The blue acrylate weave is not always seamless and might bother some players, but it didn’t affect my play. The blade produces a resonant sound when struck with loud rubbers.

Overall, the V-13 is an excellent value for money. At $40, it surpasses my expectations and even outperforms my $125 TBS. Additionally, the V-13 is lighter.